What to Plant in May, Darwin & Top End
82 crops you can sow in May across Darwin & Top End.
In Season This Month
Leafy (14)
Flower (13)
Herb (13)
Root (11)
Brassica (9)
Fruit (9)
Fruiting (7)
Micro (4)
Mushroom (2)
All May Crops at a Glance
| Plant | Category | Harvest | Spacing | Companions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | 55d | 20cm | Lettuce, Brassicas, Beans | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 700cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 65d | 20cm | Corn, Carrot, Cucumber | |
| Root | 65d | 10cm | Lettuce, Onion, Brassicas | |
| Leafy | 50d | 20cm | Beetroot, Celery | |
| Flower | 60d | 40cm | Strawberry, Tomato, Cucumber | |
| Brassica | 90d | 45cm | Beetroot, Onion, Celery | |
| Micro | 7d | 1cm | — | |
| Brassica | 120d | 60cm | Beetroot, Onion | |
| Brassica | 90d | 50cm | Beetroot, Onion, Dill | |
| Flower | 60d | 25cm | Tomato, Brassicas, Beans | |
| Root | 85d | 5cm | Lettuce, Onion, Leek | |
| Brassica | 100d | 55cm | Beetroot, Celery, Onion | |
| Leafy | 120d | 25cm | Leek, Tomato, Beans | |
| Herb | 60d | 20cm | Brassicas, Onion, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 75d | 15cm | Carrot, Tomato | |
| Flower | 60d | 60cm | Tomato, Potato, Fruit trees | |
| Herb | 50d | 15cm | Spinach, Dill | |
| Flower | 70d | 20cm | Wildflowers, Grains | |
| Fruiting | 60d | 50cm | Beans, Corn, Nasturtium | |
| Flower | 365d | 100cm | Lavender, Garlic, Chives | |
| Root | 60d | 20cm | Carrot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 60d | 25cm | Cabbage, Onion, Corn | |
| Leafy | 80d | 30cm | — | |
| Fruit | 365d | 400cm | — | |
| Fruit | 1095d | 300cm | — | |
| Brassica | 55d | 25cm | Beetroot, Onion, Dill | |
| Root | 210d | 15cm | Beetroot, Lettuce, Strawberry | |
| Root | 120d | 15cm | Tomato, Asparagus | |
| Flower | 120d | 150cm | Tropical plants | |
| Root | 150d | 40cm | Corn, Beans, Sunflower | |
| Leafy | 70d | 40cm | Beetroot, Onion, Celery | |
| Brassica | 60d | 20cm | Beetroot, Onion | |
| Leafy | 35d | 20cm | Lettuce, Beans | |
| Fruiting | 70d | 30cm | Corn, Sunflower | |
| Flower | 90d | 60cm | Brassicas, Tomato, Rosemary | |
| Brassica | 120d | 15cm | Carrot, Celery | |
| Herb | 60d | 30cm | Tomato, Brassicas, Fruit trees | |
| Fruit | 730d | 300cm | Comfrey | |
| Leafy | 55d | 25cm | Carrot, Radish, Chives | |
| Fruit | 730d | 300cm | Comfrey | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 700cm | — | |
| Flower | 50d | 25cm | Tomato, Beans, Capsicum | |
| Leafy | 35d | 15cm | Lettuce, Radish | |
| Herb | 70d | 30cm | Cabbage, Tomato | |
| Leafy | 40d | 20cm | Carrot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 730d | 200cm | Native plants, Finger lime | |
| Fruit | 365d | 500cm | — | |
| Brassica | 40d | 25cm | Beetroot, Carrot | |
| Flower | 50d | 30cm | Cucumber, Zucchini, Pumpkin | |
| Fruit | 365d | 100cm | Native plants | |
| Flower | 90d | 20cm | Native plants, Ferns | |
| Root | 180d | 10cm | Carrot, Beetroot, Lettuce | |
| Herb | 90d | 30cm | Capsicum, Tomato | |
| Mushroom | 21d | — | — | |
| Herb | 80d | 20cm | Tomato, Carrot | |
| Root | 120d | 10cm | Rosemary, Beans | |
| Micro | 12d | 1cm | — | |
| Fruiting | 75d | 10cm | Carrot, Radish, Corn | |
| Root | 90d | 30cm | Beans, Nasturtium, Marigold | |
| Fruit | 1460d | 500cm | Native plants, Host tree (semi-parasitic) | |
| Root | 30d | 5cm | Lettuce, Carrot | |
| Micro | 8d | 1cm | — | |
| Leafy | 40d | 15cm | Lettuce, Carrot | |
| Herb | 180d | 60cm | Sage, Carrot | |
| Herb | 75d | 50cm | Rosemary, Brassicas, Carrot | |
| Root | 120d | 15cm | Carrot, Onion | |
| Herb | 90d | 30cm | Pigface, Samphire | |
| Mushroom | 60d | — | — | |
| Leafy | 60d | 30cm | Beans, Onion, Lettuce | |
| Fruiting | 60d | 10cm | Carrot, Radish, Corn | |
| Leafy | 60d | 30cm | Strawberry, Lettuce | |
| Leafy | 55d | 20cm | Strawberry, Pea | |
| Micro | 10d | 1cm | — | |
| Leafy | 45d | 20cm | Carrot, Onion | |
| Herb | 120d | 30cm | Cabbage, Strawberry | |
| Fruiting | 85d | 60cm | Basil, Carrot, Marigold | |
| Flower | 70d | 15cm | Lettuce, Strawberry | |
| Leafy | 30d | 20cm | Kangkong, Taro | |
| Brassica | 75d | 45cm | Onion, Dill, Beetroot | |
| Flower | 90d | 40cm | Brassicas, Tomato, Herbs | |
| Fruiting | 60d | 80cm | Nasturtium, Corn, Beans |
Print the May calendar
One-page A4 landscape PDF with every May crop for Darwin & Top End.
Download PDF →Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables can I plant in May in Darwin?
May in Darwin is dry season, so focus on crops suited to tropical conditions at this time of year. Check the full planting list above for every vegetable, herb, and fruit you can sow or transplant this month, with spacing and harvest timing included.
What should I plant in my Darwin garden as the weather cools in May?
As Darwin transitions into cooler weather, switch from summer crops to cool-season varieties. Sow broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, carrot, lettuce, peas, and Asian greens. Clear spent summer plants and add compost before replanting.
How often should I water my vegetable garden in May in Darwin?
Watering frequency depends on your soil type and weather. In May in Darwin, check the soil moisture by pushing your finger 5 centimetres into the soil. If it feels dry, water deeply. Mulch reduces watering needs significantly. Most vegetable gardens need deep watering two to three times per week rather than light daily sprinkles.
What pests should I watch for in my Darwin garden in May?
Darwin's tropical climate supports year-round pest pressure. Watch for fruit fly, whitefly, aphids, and caterpillars. Use fine mesh netting over fruiting crops to exclude fruit fly. Encourage beneficial insects by planting companion flowers. Neem oil and pyrethrum sprays help manage soft-bodied pests. Check plants daily in the warm months.
